The original.

Copying others lessons our own form of expression.

The great battle every Artist has is to be themselves, it sounds simple but it is not easy to be oneself.

We can admire the paintings of others and be in awe of their talent and ability, but we are not them and we need to discover who we are as Artists and find our Artistic identity.

To copy really is admitting that you are not original and that you have to look to another for inspiration. That is flattering for the one you copy but certainly they will not be impressed or thank you.

Now I am not referring to Art school and doing workshops I am talking about our daily Artistic practice.

There is a place near here where you can get an exact copy of any painting of the Masters that you want, a Picasso or a Monet, any painting you want and its perfect just like the Masters painting, but there is one small problem with them.

They are beautiful and exactly like the original, but they are not the original, they are just a copy, no soul, no heart, no originality, no creation no nothing, just a manufactured very poor copy of a wonderful painting and no matter how much people might say, but its beautiful, exactly like the original, honestly its not, it is a very poor imitation of a masters genius, you cannot copy an original painting or genius, because it is always second rate and its not the original, it is an echo, a mirror image it is not the real thing, its a poor second.

Always be original, let your work come from deep within you, no matter what else, make it your own work.

Whether it is an abstract painting or still life, landscape or portrait, make it yours, from your Artistic vision, your original work.

No ones wants a copy, every one wants the original.